Minxin Pei: Now The Hard Part Begins: The China Challenge

From the Diplomat:

Xi Jinping has taken the reigns of the Communist Party. With multiple domestic and international challenges mounting, there is much to be done. The most immediate obstacle to any prospects of major policy shifts lies at the very top.  The new standing committee has a strong conservative presence.  The perception of the new team is that it is dominated by relatively mediocre  and risk-averse leaders. It would be too optimistic or premature to believe that such a delicately balanced body could address China’s problems quickly and decisively. The result of this delicate balancing act is likely a cautious start characterized by the adoption of relatively easy policy measures designed mainly to differentiate the new leadership from its immediate predecessor. The bottom line in evaluating China’s new leadership in general, and Xi in particular:  he and his colleagues will have to walk the walk. His predecessors have done enough talking already.

http://thediplomat.com/2012/11/20/now-the-hard-part-begins-xi-jinpings-challenge/